Mobile technology for Me!

Category: Tech News

Jailbreaking a phone, as you probably know already, is an amazing process. Whenever you jailbreak, you free your iPhone from its strict limitations, allowing it to install apps that you couldn’t before due to them not being on Apple’s app store. Whenever you jailbreak, you’ll install Cydia, which is like a black market version of the Apple Store.

We won’t be explaining how to jailbreak a phone in this article. We have plenty of other articles you can read about it at, so check them out if you’re curious about jailbreaking your phone. For now, we’re going to tell you about hiding the Cydia app.

Why Hide Cydia?

Cydia is home to phone spy software, which you’ve probably installed on your target’s phone. Now, the spy software knows to run in the background and stay hidden. However, the Cydia app being present may raise some red flags. If the target hasn’t jailbroken their own phone, they may be wondering why Cydia is there, and you’ll be found out.

By hiding the app, you’ll give your target little to no clues as to if the device has been tampered with or not. Thankfully, it’s quite easy to hide Cydia, and we’re going to tell you how.

An Easy Way to Hide Cydia

First, open the app. Do a search and find “SB Settings.” This app is quite useful for many things, but for now, we’re going to be using it for only one of its functions: hiding app icons from the target’s view. So install the app and open it when it’s installed.

Open up “Settings.” Once you do that, click on “More.” You should see an option that says, “hide icons,” or something of the sort. You can then select certain icons to hide, and all you need to do is turn them on and off. Just find the Cydia app, hide it, and that’s it. Cydiais hidden! The key word here is hidden. The app is not gone, nor is your jailbreak. It’s just running in the background.

If you’re worried about the SB Settings icon being present, don’t be. Just hide that app, too, and there you go! Any signs of jailbreaking have now been hidden from your target’s eye.

Making Cydia Reappear

With that said, how do you restore the icons you’ve hidden? Sometimes, you may want to unhide icons. Like we said, the apps aren’t deleted, but instead hidden. So how do you find them? Just swipe your status bar, of course! It’s that bar on the top of the screen that allows you to see notifications. There, you can reactivate the SB settings app and then unhide all the icons.

If you suspect your phone has been jailbroken and tampered with, this is also a good way for you to figure out if it has by finding those hidden apps. And again, if you’re spying on someone, make sure it’s legal. Spy on your underage children, and your employees’ work devices, but not your spouse.

Overall

Jailbreaking opens up plenty of opportunities, but if you don’t know how to hide the icons, it may end up blowing up in your face. So keep any signs of jailbreaking hidden unless you’re jailbreaking your own phone. With that said, happy spying.

Choosing a smartphone is complicated, not only because there is a whole bunch of parameters to look out for but also because once you’ve made your choice,you’ve made a commitment to the particular OS as well. Unlike computers which for the most part, allow you to install whichever operating system you want or even install several and switch between them whenever you want the latest generation of smartphones is built to run one OS in particular.
This is apparent every time you hear the words “Android phone” or “Windows phone”, indicating that the device in question will only work with that particular OS. Although Android is by far the most popular OS as far mobile devices are concerned, Windows Phone 8 is hanging in there, with the number of new users and new apps steadily growing. For those considering to switch to Windows Phone, here are some bits of advice.

Why You Should Choose Windows Phone 8:

As opposed to Android, Windows Phone 8 user experience doesn’t vary depending on the device, or third-party accessories and device. Microsoft makes sure from the get-go that there are no compatibility issues and that everything works as it should, which makes Windows Phone experience more similar to that of iOS. This is evident on Nokia Lumia phones, where both hardware and software are made by Microsoft, which is the ideal approach. Also, speaking of Lumia, you get a lot of phone for the money, no matter which model you decide to get.

As for security issues, there are virtually none. While you may have to consider getting some sort of security app if you are an Android user, with Windows Phone, you can set your mind at ease. For business-oriented users, a Windows Phone device is an absolute dream when it comes to security. For example, your company’s admin can monitor a number of Windows Phones from the servers room and makes that there are no security issues whatsoever. This is good to know, since most companies often exchange confidential and valuable data.

Why You Should Not Choose Windows Phone 8:

The first issue does not apply Windows Phone 8. At least not yet. We’re talking about the issue regarding the updating of Windows Phone devices. Those users which are using Windows Phone 7.8 will not be able to keep their phones up to date, which means no support or compatibility with all the new apps that will come out eventually. If course, like we pointed out, this doesn’t concern you, since you will be getting a Windows Phone 8 device, and Microsoft promised that it would keep those up to date. The question is: until when? One day they may decide to pull the plug on it, and you will find yourself in a position we’ve just described.

The most glaring downside of having a Windows Phone 8 device is the relatively small number of apps for you to choose from. Although Microsoft says that all the essential apps are out there, that is highly unlikely, since each one of us has their own idea of an essential app. Yes, most apps are available, but they failed to mention that a large number of those is made by third-party developers. Last, but not least, even though Windows Phone users swear by it, they rarely mention that this OS takes some time getting used to.

Conclusion

Now you have some more information you can make a decision about which phone and OS is right for you.

Your Android device can more than likely make use of a few different chargers. However, these chargers are going to probably charge your device at different rates and likewise, chargers that are damaged will be inefficient. In this article we will take a look at how you can effectively find out just how much amperage your charger is supplying to your device (smartphone or tablet).

The Best App For The Job: Ampere

The first thing that you need to do is head on over to the Play Store and download the Ampere app – don’t worry, it’s free. The Ampere app is what you’re going to use to evaluate your charger, it is compatible with Android 4.0 and any version that is newer (however, a few models, such as the HTC M8, are somewhat unresponsive). Now that we have the app, let’s get started!

Using Ampere To Test Your Charger

For this, all you’re going to need is your charger and a place to plug it in — either a wall outlet, a computer or a portable battery .

Now it goes without saying that you are going to need a charger and a location to plug it in (electrical outlet, portable battery, computer, etc.). If you are truly trying to get the most efficient and most accurate readings then you should evidently be using an electrical outlet with your official peripherals (further on you’ll see why using a computer might not be the best idea). The app provides you with a few superfluous settings that don’t really need to be altered and all in all it takes approximately 10 seconds to measure the charge rate of your device and give you the results.

You also have the option of choosing to purchase the Pro version of Ampere for $1.13 (price when this article was published). In my opinion the Pro versions is not really worth it, granted it does give you an icon in your notification tray that shows your battery info and it does remove the ads that appear at the bottom of the screen. However, it is really not that necessary.

The Ampere app utilizes color coded prompts for simple usability. When your device is plugged in the app will use blue text, conversely the app uses orange text whenever your device isn’t plugged in. As an added plus, the Ampere app will also show you the energy usage of your device when it isn’t plugged in – factors, such as the amount of apps that you have running; the brightness of your screen; Wi-Fi activity; and Bluetooth settings , will affect this reading.

The app is very sleek, simplistic, and contemporary in regards to its design – this makes it easy to look at and navigate as well. You can view a full list of your battery stats by pressing the circular icon on the left side of the screen. Numbers that are marked as positive show just how much charge your device is gaining, while numbers that are marked as negative signify the amount of charge that you phone is losing.

If your device is performing several functions (background et al.) then the reading that you obtain while testing your charger will be significantly lower (meaning that your charger won’t be at fault). For example, if your charger is supplying your device with 500mA but your device is subsequently utilizing an average of -200mA, you will essentially be charging your device with only 300mA.

What You Need To Know

Each and every type and model of charger is different. If you are looking for a benchmark to measure your charging cable against then you should look no further than the charger itself. Virtually all adapters should have some sort of inscription or sticker that lists the specifications of said adapter. The section marked “Output” is what you should be interested in – this number is a literal annotation of the charging power that you should expect from the adapter. So, if for example you have a charger that is marked with an 800mA output value, then you should expect to get a charging value of 800mA minus your device’s usage value (e.g. 800mA – 200mA = 600mA)

Your readings will vary depending on the device that you are using and the charging adapter that you are utilizing. If for some reason you are dissatisfied with the results that Ampere has given you and you want to improve the charge rate for your device, here are some tips that you can make use of.

Alter Your Charging Habits

If your device isn’t charging as efficiently or as fast as you would like, you don’t have to worry there are steps that you can take to improve your charging rate.

A simple but effective tip that you can utilize is to not only turn your device’s screen off while it is charging, you should also toggle the airplane mode feature on as well. This should effectively maximize your charging gain. If this seems too extreme there are other minor things that you can do as well. One major error that people always make is that they assume that their device charges at the same rate when plugged into a computer or an electrical outlet. In reality this is extremely wrong – a computer will never give you the amperage output that you can get from an electrical outlet. You should only use your computer to charge your device in dire situations.

Likewise, if you have a choice you should always utilize the charging cable and adapter that were packaged with your device. While third party peripherals can be useful if your original peripherals are lost or damaged, the original ones have usually been thoroughly tested with your specific device and they are almost always the safest and most efficient.

Another thing that is worth mentioning is wireless charging. While wireless charging is undoubtedly exceptionally convenient, it is also exceptionally slow when compared to charging your device from an electrical outlet – it’s even slower than charging your device with your computer!

Lastly, you should always try to keep your device and its battery cool at all times. Excess heat can significantly diminish the overall health of your device’s battery, so whenever you are charging it you should remove its case and place it in a relatively cool area.

Did Your Charger Live Up To The Hype?

So how did you Ampere test turn out? Is your device’s charger as efficient as you expected? Sadly, all chargers are not one and the same. Do you have any other helpful advice on how to make charging more efficient? Share your stories and tips with us!

Android has a whole slew of hidden features which, once accessed, can greatly improve you user experience, and allow you a greater degree of control over other features and apps. While these may be aimed at more advanced users, casual users can be also benefit from them, in more ways than one.

I have personally tried out each of these features I am about to list here, and I can honestly say that I cannot imagine not using them every day. If you would like to join me, keep on reading as I go into a bit more detail about some useful, yet often overlooked Android features.

GPS vs. Power Saving

This feature is useful if you find yourself in a situation where you don’t need GPS. In case you didn’t know, GPS is one of “thirstiest” features on your cell phone, and you can save a lot of power by sacrificing some of its accuracy. Starting with Android 4.4 KitKat, your GPS location can be determined by taking advantage of the local Wi-Fi networks, or cell phone towers in near proximity, which can extend your battery life significantly. In order to switch back and forth between this mode and the fully functional GPS mode, go to Settings – > Location.

Gain Access to Developer Mode

Many users were outraged when they realized there was no Develop Mode on devices running KitKat. If you were using stuff like USB debugging, and some of the options which allowed you to limit the activity of the processes that were going on in the background, as well as advanced options like CPU usage overlay, you can take a deep breath and relax, because all of it still there. To access it again, go to Settings – > About Device/Phone, and locate the Build number at the bottom. Once you’re there, tap it seven times in order to re-add Developer features to your phone.

Manage Your Memory

After you’ve done all the stuff I’ve just described, you will find yourself gaining access to Developer options, which means you can also get an insight into how your memory is used by all the different apps you have on your phone. Go to Settings – > Developer Options – > Process Stats to see a visual representation of how your memory is being used up. That way, you can determine why your phone is a bit lazy on occasion and which app is causing it to slow down.

I hope there is something there that you have not heard before. Keep reading to find some great tips and guides.